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Friday, March 25, 2011

In a deja-vu that will bring you back to last fall, we are heading to the polls this time in a federal election.Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore tells CHSJ News he doesn't think Canadians want an election.Moore says it's unfortunate timing after we've just come through the worst economic crisis most of us have ever seen.He says why on earth would we want to have an election now when the number one issue on the minds of Canadians is the economy.Moore says Canada is leading G-7 countries in gross domestic product and has unemployment that's 2 per cent lower than the U.S.

An Opposition non-confidence motion has just passed in the House of Commons effectively collapsing the Harper government and setting the wheels in motion for a federal election this spring. The vote was 156 in favor while 145 were against.

Turning off your lights for an hour has turned into an annual event and this year's earth hour is scheduled tomorrow night from 8:30 to 9:30.

Provincial Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News to take part makes a statement that you care what happens to the environment and want to do something about climate change.

Last year's earth hour in the province saved 18 megawatts of electricity which is the equivalent of 360 thousand lights being switched off.

A record 128 countries and territories turned off the lights last year, making Earth Hour 2010 the world's largest global climate change initiative.

Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when more than two million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour to draw attention to the challenges facing the world because of global warming.

Paul Zed is not seeking the Liberal nomination for Saint John in the coming federal vote.The former Saint John MP is citing personal and professional reasons.Zed does not believe the fact the local Liberals are not ready with a candidate and signs ready to go in the ground will make any difference in the outcome of the election.

He says in six general elections, he never worried about putting his election signs up on the first day.

Zed says he will take part in the campaign by assisting Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.He will also be doing work as a political commentator for various national media outlets.

The fall of the Harper government is just hours away -- and -- as the country prepares for a federal election campaign -- some names are giving serious consideration to seeking the local Liberal nomination.

Former Saint John M-P Paul Zed has been pondering a return to politics and is holding a news conference later this morning. Zed lost to Conservative Rodney Weston by less than 500-votes in the last election and word is Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has been pushing him to get back into the political arena.

Meantime, Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase confirms to CHSJ News he is also thinking about seeking the federal Liberal nomination.

If you live in the Dairytown, you will see soldiers taking part in a military exercise between today and Sunday. The soldiers are the 8th Canadian Hussars will participate in Exercise Last Chance in and around Sussex.

Soldiers will be issued standard Canadian, military equipment including the standard service rifle as well as blank ammunition.

The 8th Canadian Hussars is an Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment whose primary missions include providing security and surveillance operations in a variety of settings.